Quote:
Originally Posted by Redondo Jon
Cool Mike, those are nice pics. Wow! These folks are bringing some pretty serious game to these track days. One of my many fears is that I’ll fail spectacularly at one of these events and get boo-boo’s on my feelings. I still want to do this though. I’ll see what I can do by October.
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^^ Yup some of them do, most of the radical ones are trailered in and never see the street. And lots of them are actively competing and trying to earn trophies not just for an ego boost, but to please sponsors, etc.
For the guy who has a street driven car, that's not what it's really about IMO... it's about going out there and getting used to your car, enjoying it, becoming a better driver, and go fast without going to jail!! No such thing as failing at an open track day unless you drive like a dick and have no manners! Or driving way over your or your car's capability and run it into a wall or someone else
Example: late summer 2007 buttonwillow, redline was putting on the track day. spectrum of cars.... everything from stock miata to new 911 turbo porsche, amg sl65 (?) mercedes, c5/c6 corvette z06, viper, etc. 90% of the guys with massive power and huge egos, of course, couldn't drive for shit. every corner that came up, the miata (stock motor, sticky tires, upgraded suspension IIRC) was all over them. drove around them in corners only to get spanked in the straights. problem was that the big ego/hp guys never thought about letting the quick miata by before the corners so he could work the corners without having to dodge the egomaniacs.
I see this happen a lot. I think people should realize when even though they have a car with huge potential, and there is another guy behind you on your ass constantly thru corners with a lower potential car, just let him by, point him/her by. The person behind you is obviously a better driver, so accept it. You can blow by the slower car on the straights but he will whoop you in corners... happens all the time... When I say potential, I mean straight up power, not necessarily handling. Obviously the miata has a high handling and braking potential when setup right.
Anyway, you should get your ass out there, there is nothing like it. Take it slow your first couple times, you have to feel out the limits of the car in terms of brakes (very important!), handling, grip/tires, and how your motor runs (keeping water/air/coolant/fuel temps in check). No one demands you drive like you stole it, just have fun with it!
Really fun to watch, miatas look like the perfect car for autocrossing.
